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As a principle of criticism: imagination is an end in itself, and the intrinsic interest of the White Lady as apiece of art-creation must come before all others—at the same time it is a part of the functions of criticism to analyse the ideas and interests that underlie and are embodied in such a portraiture. [For the whole subject, compare the Introduction to the Edition of 1830, especially paragraphs 15-20.]

The central interest is creative curiosity: imagination as a mode of speculation, abstract fancies conveyed in plastic form.

1. Man's origin described as being from the dust of the earth animated by the Divine Spirit—suggests: other beings formed from earth or the other elements without any such Divine admixture—so the Elemental Spirits: Earth and Gnomes, Water and Naiads, Air and Sylphs, Fire and Salamanders: with attributes in accordance—the idea of such unsubstantial beings a foundation for such creations as the White Lady, who seems to partake the attributes of several elements [compare her words in ix. 54, xii. 3; and the Grotto Scene, xi. 31-xii].

2. Man's relation to the rest of the animal creation.

3. Moral curiosity, as well as intellectual.